Veteran, businessman, Weisman named Citizen of Year in Nashua

By KIMBERLY HOUGHTONUnion Leader CorrespondentOctober 30. 2013 10:58PMNASHUA — A dedicated community volunteer and longtime financial guru has been selected as the 2013 Citizen of the Year by the Greater Nashua Chamber Commerce.

H. Robert Weisman, a partner at Weisman Tessier Lambert and Halloran, was awarded the honor on Wednesday during the Chamber’s 85th annual gala.

Weisman, a combat Marine in the World World II Pacific Theatre, has lived in Nashua his entire life. He entered the financial services business in 1949 and became a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

According to a release, Weisman has been an active member of the community, serving as chairman of the board of directors at St. Joseph Hospital and past president of the Nashua Exchange Club.

Weisman has also been active on the board of trustees at Rivier University, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Nashua Heart Fund and Community Chest. In addition, he received an honorary humanitarian degree from Rivier University in 1994, and was a Quality of Life recipient in 1990, says the release.

“No one cares more for his fellow man and for this community than does Bob Weisman,” said Tom Tessier, who served with Weisman as a partner at Weisman Tessier Lambert and Halloran.

Chris Williams, president of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, said it is never easy choosing one Citizen of the Year when there is a large group of deserving leaders in Nashua.

“Bob is truly a testament to what it means to serve our community, and is highly deserving of this rare honor,” said Williams.

Frank Teas, president of the Nashua Bank and the presenting sponsor of the gala, told the audience that Weisman was the unanimous choice by this year’s selection committee, which is made up exclusively of those who have received the same honor in the past.

“Bob Weisman has dedicated so much of his professional life to our institution, helping take us from a college to a university,” said Sister Paula Buley, president of Rivier University, in a statement.

St. Joseph Hospital also commended Weisman for his devotion to the local medical center, thanking him for decades of service to the hospital and the community.

“Naming someone Nashua’s Citizen of the Year is an honor we do not take lightly. The greater Nashua region has had a long line of great leaders in its history — leaders in politics, business, education, nonprofits and religion,” said Williams. “With so many people who contribute so much to our community, it’s never easy to select one from those that have served so many.”

Still, Williams said Weisman was a unanimous choice for the honor. In addition to being recognized for a lifetime of contributions to the Gate City, it was also noted that Weisman previously received the Distinguished Life Underwriter of New Hampshire Award and was a charter member of the New Hampshire Estate Planning Council.